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Monday, July 1, 2013

News from Help 4 Families

Help 4 Families Ministry

July 1, 2013

Vol 11, Issue 11

July 1, 2013

Newsletter

Ministry Updates

Dear Friends,

The "Hope Gathering" 2013 conference will take place on July 13, 2013, at the Gateway Fellowship Church in Hockley, TX (near Houston, TX). Help 4 Families is very excited about the opportunity of providing another conference that allows us to come alongside of you in a God-loving environment.

KEY NOTE SPEAKER: Bobby Morgan

Bobby, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, specializes in gender-affirmative therapy with men who seek both freedom from unwanted same-sex attraction and connection to their true heterosexual identity. Bobby is a member of Narth.

GUEST SPEAKERS:

Denise Shick is the founder of Help 4 Families Ministry. She is the author of "My Daddy's Secret," "When Hope Seems Lost" & co-author of "Dangerous Affirmations." Denise's father lived as Becky for 15 years. She shares how important it is to trust in the Lord and lean on Him.

Walt Heyer is the author of "Trading My Sorrows," "Perfected With Love," and "Paper Genders." He worked at NASA's Apollo Space Mission as an engineer. Walt underwent sex reassignment surgery and lived as Laura Jenson for 8 years. Walt will be releasing his new book "Sex Change, It's Suicide" at the conference.

OUR VISION:

This gathering is designed for strugglers, family members, and friends, as well as counselors, pastors and the general public who would like further insight into the current topics of Gender Identity Disphoria and same-sex attraction. Break out sessions and personal testimonies of healing and hope will complete this day.

If you have a question in regards to our "Hope Gathering," please contact (814) 598-4952 or help4familes2004@yahoo.com for further information. If you are interested in attending the conference, you are able to download your registration form on www.help4families.com

It is our prayer that our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified through out this event and all that we do!

God Bless,

Denise

Standing Firm with God

In recent weeks Help 4 Families has been receiving calls and emails to ask about our current status with Exodus International. It is important for us to address this again for the sake of others who may be asking the same question.

In March of 2012 Help 4 Families resigned from the Exodus International as we had become aware of the slippery slope Exodus was sliding down. The Help 4 Families board of directors voted unanimously to resign immediately.

The path that Exodus has taken in the last couple years has saddened our hearts. Alan Chambers has chosen on his own authority to send a message that change is not possible for those who struggle with homosexuality and gender issues. Alan has never pursued psychotherapy for his same-sex attraction struggles. Neither is he is a counselor or a therapist, so it would appear that Exodus has pursued cultural acceptance by promoting a popular misconception, rather than standing on Biblical values. "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything" 1 Cor 6:9-12 We would like you to join Help 4 Families in praying for Alan Chambers since Exodus seems to be traveling back into Egypt instead of moving forward to the promised land.

Pastor Brad Preston of Sawyer Evangelical Church in Bradford, PA, told me years ago "When God closes one ministry, He will raise up another." Indeed, this has happened with the Restored Hope Network (www.restoredhopenetwork.com). We have been honored to stand among other leaders who left in the early months of 2012 due to the direction of Exodus International.

God has brought many ministry leaders together who continue to stand in the gap against our enemy's plans to destroy many and their hope in Him. "The LORD said to Satan, `Where have you come from?' Satan answered the LORD, `From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.'" Job 1;7 Satan has not won this battle, as there are many godly and seasoned leaders saying "No" to the enemy of God. The deceiver has tried to snuff out godly hope and truth, but praise be to God, there were and are leaders who are saying "Yes" only to God.

Help 4 Families will not stand on ungodly, unscriptural teachings or messages. Please keep Help 4 Families and the Restored Hope Network in your prayers as we continue to be the light in today's world. May the Lord our God be glorified in and through the continued work of Help 4 Families.

Ruth's Corner

Many times when we are going through the difficulty of a spouse who struggles with cross dressing or GID issues, we can sink to the bottom of the ocean. It becomes very difficult to rise above the water for air. I found many times when I would rather stay at the bottom of the ocean and not come up for air. The depression had hit an all time high and the stress was too much to bear.

Then one day, while at my darkest moment, I called out to God. I told Him I no longer cared to fight the weight of the sinking waters. I could no longer carry the load I was carrying. It was at this very moment that God said to me "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). I realized at this moment that I was trying to live through this alone. I had not given it to God, nor had I come to Him with my weariness and the burden I carry. I was trying to do this alone, all in my power, not His.

Go to God, give him your weariness and all that comes with it, and He will be there. He actually is with you right now

Taking Back My Biological Identity

By John

Over one year ago I returned to my given masculine birth name; however, at that time I was unable to amend the sex designation on my birth certificate and all other sex-designated legal identification. Fortunately, a recent change to our provincial law has permitted me to take back my true born-male biological identity. This unexpected turnaround in our provincial laws comes courtesy of a convoluted human rights commission ruling declaring a transgender/transsexual person's recorded birth sex discriminatory, as some people with gender identity disorder are unable to have the sex reassignment surgery.

For many years I had lived by self-will, and worldly pride, believing secular post modern thinking concerning gender and sexuality. In 1997, being absolutely convinced a sex change was the right thing to do, I had irreversible gender reassignment surgery. My birth registration and all other sex-designated legal identification was subsequently changed to reflect my perceived female gender. I was to eventually discover, however, that I only enjoyed the pleasures of sin for a season. Opposed to feeling free and harmonious, I was becoming constricted by increasingly intensifying emotional insecurities. I came to feel tolerated but not accepted, realized little to no chance for love, companionship, or marriage,and began grieving no longer being able to procreate. My growing emotional insecurities were holding me back from satisfactorly performing my daily supervisory duties, and I eventually lost my nearly 28 years of full-time employment.The net result of my gender transition was a sad, middle-aged, early-retired, lonely, self-loathing person, at times without hope and contemplating an end to my misery.

John 4:24 tells us "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." Furthermore, John 16:13 adds "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" And Hebrews 4:12 states "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart"

God's Holy Spirit of Truth shook me to my core, convicted me, and led me to both repentance toward God and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary. God's Holy Spirit can be the only explanation for my profound change of heart, leading me to see my actions were false, vain, an offense, and opposed to our holy and righteous God. Among my many sins I acknowledged transsexulism as a sexual sin that warred against my now-realized never-dying soul; living as a woman despite legal definiton and surgery was a lie. In 1 Cor 6:19-20 we learn our bodies are temples of the Holy Ghost, bought with a price and therefore we are to glorify God in our body and our spirit which are God's. In addition,Romans12:1-2 instructs us by God's mercies to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, not conformed to this world: but transformed, renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

While it is important that we treat all mental disorders and illnesses with compassion, dignity,and respect, the insanity of political correctness is now overruling biological truth and reality. Allowing self-gender proclamation purports to make life easier for a person struggling with their gender identity; however, my personal experience and witness of many others indicates a contrary conclusion. Most who live as the opposite birth sex seem to have their emotional conflicts enhanced rather than alleviated. Additionally the legal alteration of a person's biological birth gender makes it very difficult for loved ones, friends, associates, and places an incredible burden on a society forced into accomodating something factually untrue.

In retrospect, had I not discarded God's absolute truth and biological reality, and with an open heart considered the possibily of spiritual guidance to get at the roots of my gender identity confusion, I might be living a happier, healthier life. I pray readers will take heed of my words and real life testimony, facing the truth instead of running from and rebelling against it

Psalm 33:4-5 says "For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD."

God Bless,

John

Devotional - Tools With Gratitude

by Lillypad

Scripture: "...and Saul fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, `Saul, Saul why are you persecuting Me?' " Acts 9:4 (NAS) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The early church had its problems with men like Saul (later known as Paul), who brought believers into Jerusalem to be killed because he didn't believe Jesus was the Son of God. He wanted to rid the world of this imposter. It took an encounter with Jesus to convince him that he was wrong!

Parents of GID children desperately search for answers, but none seem to come. They wonder, "Does God even listen?" They search the scriptures for answers, wanting to love their GID child so much that sometimes they begin to doubt their belief and ask, "God, did You really create our child like this?" Parents become so intertwined in this deception that sometimes it takes an encounter with God, hearing His voice, to pull them back to reality.

When a bright light suddenly flashed around Saul, he fell to the ground! He alone heard a voice asking, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" Saul instantly knew who it was and submitted himself and his entire life to Jesus as his Master and Lord. When parents hear the Lord's voice saying He wants them to stay in His army and that He'll take care of the transgender world, their tears of repentance for being doubtful will fall like rain. They'll be forever changed with a new direction! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Prayer: Heavenly Father, Forgive us when we doubt Your Word and Your love. Help our faith and trust to grow while we wait on You to forever change our GID children. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.

.

Help 4 Families

"Card Ministry"

Help 4 Families is always looking for ways to encourage individuals and their families where they are in their journey. If you would like to be a partner in our card outreach and receive a personal card for encouragement and a reminder that we are praying for you, please contact Mary at mariek88_88@yahoo.com Mary will gladly add you to the card outreach.

Prayer Link

We are pleased to announce that we have recently placed a prayer link on our home page. Help 4 Families has a prayer team awaiting to lift each request up before the throne of our Lord.

If you wish to turn in a prayer request or an updated request or praise, simply click on the link titled Prayer Link.

Note:There are times when you may see a duplicate name; this is not by mistake. We list only first names or a pen name for our prayer list. There are times when we hear from more than one `John or Mary'

Your Stories Your Ministry

If you have an idea for an article or you wish to share your story or thoughts, please feel free to write us and let us know. We respect your privacy and confidentiality on all manners.

Donations`

Help 4 Families is an organization that is completely run by volunteers who have a heart to reach individuals and family members who are impacted by GID. Please know that your donations go strictly to helping us in our outreach to the hurting.Help 4 Families ministry continues to grow, as does the need of the people who reach out to us.

Please consider being a partner with us financially in ministry.Your financial blessings assist us to continue and extend in the work God has called us into.

We are able to accept donations by checks, money order or PayPal. We are a tax exempt ministry. We also accept major credit cards for donations. These options are available on the home page of our web site.

Help 4 Families is an organization that is run my volunteers who in Christ

and that all things are possible through Him!

"I can do all evertything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

The Lord Jesus Christ is a great Healer! It is our Lord Jesus Christ who walks with each of us through our difficult journey. I know that if you are the person who struggles with gender disphoria or the family member, this is a journey that we would never choose. Who will you trust to walk alongside of you?

The world will fail in many ways to walk alongside of you. But Christ will never leave or forsake you. It is my prayer that you trust HIM with all of your heart, no matter where you may be today.

Help 4 Families will continue to be here for you, your family and church leaders. If there is any way we can come alongside you in your journey, please do not hesitate to contact us. All calls and e-mails are kept confidential. May you find rest and peace in Jesus Christ's loving arms.

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About PFOX

Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays & Gays (PFOX) is a national non-profit organization committed to helping ex-gays and parents and friends of gays who want help, hope and community. PFOX exists to educate, support, and advocate for individuals and parents on the issue of same-sex attraction, and increase others’ understanding and acceptance of the ex-gay community.
To learn more about PFOX, visit our official website at www.pfox.org.